185 grain vs. 155 grain???????

bearbong · March 15, 2008, 04:15 PM

I am in the process of choosing the 40 caliber load that I will carry when I begin doing PPO work. I tried the 155 grain speer gold dot, and I also fired some magnatech 185 grain for cheaper repitition. I figured the 185 grain would make the 155 grain feel much smoother and be good practice. I don't know if was just me, but the 155 grain seemed to have much more jump to it. Is that due to the quality of powder? I'd love to practice soley with gold dot, but that is price prohibitiive. any suggestions to train more effectively would be appreciated.

UniversalFrost · March 15, 2008, 05:43 PM

if you reload you can try out the rainer HP's.

Also, in my .40S&W guns I have owned (don't own any now)I used federal hydra shok and speer gold dots.

Also the 165gr variety are good as well as the 135gr variety

just experiment until you find the right bullet/weight for your gun.

JOE

bearbong · March 15, 2008, 08:01 PM

thank you! I'll try the federal, too.

slick slidestop · March 15, 2008, 08:36 PM

I like the 165 Gr Gold dots in 40.

bikerbill · March 27, 2008, 06:50 PM

don't train with hollowpoints ... I always take two mags of my carry ammo with me to the range, to make sure the gun still feeds them and to remember how they feel ... I also take two boxes of FMJ's which are far cheaper. Use the same weight bullet and you get similar accuracy, all things being equal. Again, all things being equal, I prefer heavier bullets. just MHO ...

HogManMagnum · April 13, 2008, 12:42 PM

yeah practicing with jhp rounds is not cost-effective. after i run a 50 rd box or so of my chosen self defense rounds thru my gun to make sure they feed reliably i just take about 10 or so rounds to the range every so often to make sure they still get along with me and my gun

that said, i also have a .40 and i've noticed i tend to be more accurate with the 180gr rds than with the 155gr rds although i havent been able to get back to the range to further test that out. i have 2 boxes of hornady TAP FPD jhp rds, one in 155gr and one in 180gr and im going to see which one im more comfortabe with recoil and accuracy wise. the winner becomes my new SD ammo. im hoping my original felling was right and the 180gr shoots better for me since range rounds seem to be more readily available in 180gr and i like practicing with the same weight as i keep for defense. unfortunalty the lighter, faster 155 & 165gr loads are better stoppers, but ill take accuracy and ease of follow up shots over a one shot stop any day. also it appears the lighter bullets have more of a tendancy to overpenetrate in the event of a miss... ill repost once i get back to the range

btw Bearbong, did u mean 185gr or 180gr? cuz i havent seen any 185gr .40 cal loads... also cabelas online has a great deal on winchester ranger 155gr 14.99 per 50bx

GoSlash27 · April 13, 2008, 02:16 PM

IM (completely ameteur) O,
You can't go far wrong with a heavier slower bullet where hollowpoints are concerned. They just seem to perform more consistently.
Could be wrong and wouldn't be the first time

March 15, 2008, 04:15 PM	#1
bearbong Member Join Date: March 15, 2008 Location: TEXAS Posts: 27	185 grain vs. 155 grain??????? I am in the process of choosing the 40 caliber load that I will carry when I begin doing PPO work. I tried the 155 grain speer gold dot, and I also fired some magnatech 185 grain for cheaper repitition. I figured the 185 grain would make the 155 grain feel much smoother and be good practice. I don't know if was just me, but the 155 grain seemed to have much more jump to it. Is that due to the quality of powder? I'd love to practice soley with gold dot, but that is price prohibitiive. any suggestions to train more effectively would be appreciated.

March 15, 2008, 05:43 PM	#2
UniversalFrost Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,300	if you reload you can try out the rainer HP's. Also, in my .40S&W guns I have owned (don't own any now)I used federal hydra shok and speer gold dots. Also the 165gr variety are good as well as the 135gr variety just experiment until you find the right bullet/weight for your gun. JOE __________________ Lifetime member VFW and NRA "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (when all else fails play dead) -Red Green

March 15, 2008, 08:36 PM	#4
slick slidestop Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 394	I like the 165 Gr Gold dots in 40. __________________ Be insensitive....tell the truth

March 27, 2008, 06:50 PM	#5
bikerbill Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Location: Lago Vista TX Posts: 2,425	don't train with hollowpoints ... I always take two mags of my carry ammo with me to the range, to make sure the gun still feeds them and to remember how they feel ... I also take two boxes of FMJ's which are far cheaper. Use the same weight bullet and you get similar accuracy, all things being equal. Again, all things being equal, I prefer heavier bullets. just MHO ... __________________ "The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants." Albert Camus

April 13, 2008, 12:42 PM	#6
HogManMagnum Member Join Date: April 12, 2008 Location: Gun Friendly Florida Posts: 80	yeah practicing with jhp rounds is not cost-effective. after i run a 50 rd box or so of my chosen self defense rounds thru my gun to make sure they feed reliably i just take about 10 or so rounds to the range every so often to make sure they still get along with me and my gun that said, i also have a .40 and i've noticed i tend to be more accurate with the 180gr rds than with the 155gr rds although i havent been able to get back to the range to further test that out. i have 2 boxes of hornady TAP FPD jhp rds, one in 155gr and one in 180gr and im going to see which one im more comfortabe with recoil and accuracy wise. the winner becomes my new SD ammo. im hoping my original felling was right and the 180gr shoots better for me since range rounds seem to be more readily available in 180gr and i like practicing with the same weight as i keep for defense. unfortunalty the lighter, faster 155 & 165gr loads are better stoppers, but ill take accuracy and ease of follow up shots over a one shot stop any day. also it appears the lighter bullets have more of a tendancy to overpenetrate in the event of a miss... ill repost once i get back to the range btw Bearbong, did u mean 185gr or 180gr? cuz i havent seen any 185gr .40 cal loads... also cabelas online has a great deal on winchester ranger 155gr 14.99 per 50bx __________________ "If there is any doubt, then there is no doubt"

March 15, 2008, 08:01 PM	#3
bearbong Member Join Date: March 15, 2008 Location: TEXAS Posts: 27	thank you! I'll try the federal, too.

April 13, 2008, 02:16 PM	#7
GoSlash27 Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,118	IM (completely ameteur) O, You can't go far wrong with a heavier slower bullet where hollowpoints are concerned. They just seem to perform more consistently. Could be wrong and wouldn't be the first time __________________ Bill of Rights Must be 18. Void where prohibited. Not available in all states. Some restrictions apply.